Pediatric care environments favorable to the nursing practice affect positively on the work results and safety atmosphere

Abstract

The nursing practice environment is a vital element for the professional wellness and patient safety. The study purpose was assessing correlations between the nursing practice, work results and safety atmosphere. It is about a transversal study in two pediatric hospitals in Brazil, carried out between December/2013 and February/2014. To collect information, we used Nursing Work Index-Revised, Safety Attitudes Questionnaire – Short form 2006 and Maslach Burnout Inventory. The analysis was carried out through Spearman correlation and Structural Equation Model. The samples consisted of 267 nursing professionals. The results evidenced that professionals with higher autonomy, good relationships with the medical team, control about the work environment and greater organizational support presented lower levels of emotional burnout, higher work satisfaction, less intention of leaving work and indicate a more positive safety atmosphere. The structural equation model demonstrated satisfactory adjusting levels and indicated that the variables of the work environment for nursing are predictors of the work results and safety atmosphere. Organizational investments such as initiatives to reduce burnout, professional involvement on decision-making related to the patient care, professional recognition, support to the nursing manager, and learning through the failure approach contribute to the development of a favorable workplace and have a significant impact on the work satisfaction and safety atmosphere.